5 Keys to Keeping Things Fresh

There’s nothing worse than biting into a stale carrot. You know what I mean, I’m sure you’ve grabbed a carrot stick off from a vegetable platter before expecting that crisp snap as you bit into it but instead got a rubbery, orange something. Now the carrot doesn’t necessarily taste bad, but just the consistency is enough to turn you off from the veggie platter altogether, isn’t it? Even covering it up with ranch dip can’t disguise that almost spongy consistency. So don’t let your business become like that stale carrot. Check out five key things that can help you keep your business crisp and fresh.

1. Keep learning. Even when you think you’ve mastered all there is to know regarding your particular field, there is always something else you can learn. I just recently decided to learn more about using WordPress by installing it on a personal blog. Blogsites are becoming the website of the future, it seemed wise for me to learn how to install and maintain one first hand. I’m lucky as I have an insatiable need to learn new things, but even if you’re not born with that hunger, it’s a wise thing find a hunger for learning when it comes to business.

2. Be aware of trends. This doesn’t mean you have to adopt the latest trends for your business, but it is wise to be aware of just what is out there. If you’re a virtual assistant, you might not offer social media marketing, but you should know what it is if a client asks about it. Sometimes it works to jump on bandwagons and sometimes it doesn’t. As you keep abreast of new trends, go with the ones that you’re comfortable with for your individual business. Don’t hop on just because everyone else is. On the other hand, don’t be afraid to take the ride either. It’s all about what you feel is right. P.S. Do not confuse trends with fads.

3. Try new things. Redecorate. Has your website looked the same since the day you put it up? How about your stationary? Logo? Breathing fresh air into your business could be as simple as changing the color scheme on your website or changing up that letterhead. The same way you occasionally like to see changes in your living spaces, your clients/customers enjoy seeing a few changes too. Been wanting to have a logo designed, but haven’t gotten around to it? Now is the time to go for it. A word of caution though, don’t change too many things at once. You don’t want to lose the identity you’ve built up by changing everything at once. Take one small step at a time as you integrate changes. For example, if you’re adding a new logo, keep your colors,etc. constant, at least until everyone has learned to associate that new logo with your business.

4. Branch out. As you’re watching trends and staying up to date on the latest and greatest things happening in your industry, don’t be afraid to add new services/products accordingly. For example, with the real estate market the way it is a real estate attorney might want to think about offering classes, e-classes, webinars, seminars, e-courses, etc on short sales. Don’t be afraid to do or offer something that no one is in your industry is doing. After all, every new idea start has to start somewhere.

5. Maintain Quality and Consistency. As you explore these new ideas and avenues to keep your business fresh and crisp, make sure you maintain the same level of quality and consistency in your business. Branching out may end up spreading you a bit thin, so don’t hesitate to outsource in order to keep things stable in the quality department.

I’m sure there are plenty of other ideas out there for keeping your business from getting stale. If you’ve got some, please leave them in the comment section. I’d love to hear all of your ideas too!